Wheezing or trouble breathing and swelling of the lips are signs that a person is having a reaction to which of the following?

Differentiate between the options provided: A viral cold typically causes symptoms like a runny nose, cough, and mild fever, but not severe swelling or breathing difficulties. A bacterial infection may cause localized pain, fever, or pus formation, but it does not usually cause these specific symptoms. Dehydration primarily leads to symptoms like dry mouth, fatigue, and dizziness, not swelling or breathing issues.

Recognize that the symptoms described in the problem are consistent with an allergic reaction, which occurs when the immune system releases histamines and other chemicals in response to an allergen.